Arguably the biggest challenge for children in Myanmar is insufficient nutrition, if international assessments of those in poverty are anything to go by. The numbers are said to run into the millions. But a new problem has popped up prompting doctors to scratch their heads.
Judging from reports, a significant and growing number of children are turning up at the doctor’s surgery or eye clinic in Myanmar suffering from eye pain, red eyes, blurred vision, clouding of the eyes, squinting and weakness of the optic nerve.
A recent local media report on Rakhine State highlights a problem that may be popping up all around Myanmar, one that might be hard to tackle. One eye clinic in Sittwe reports that 30 per cent of eye patients are children, shockingly many of them under five years old, some faced with getting a prescription for glasses.
The threat to children appears to be posed by parents or relatives who allow young children to use smartphones and small screens for video games as a way to keep the kids occupied. And the proof appears to be in the numbers of children brought into clinics.
The excessive use smartphone use can lead to eye strain, discomfort, fatigue, poor posture, and reduced physical activity. Constant connectivity and instant gratification from smartphones can lead to addiction-like behaviours. Excessive use has been linked to increased anxiety and depression in children.
The blue light from screens can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to sleep issues. Overuse of smartphones can lead to reduced face-to-face interactions and hinder the development of communication skills.
Excessive smartphone use might decrease the ability to understand and empathize with others.
All of this is a serious worry.
Over the last decade, there has been a major change in Myanmar with the massive growth in the purchase and use of smartphones that have helped immeasurably in allowing people access to the news and media – a revolution in communication. But there is a dark side. People are getting addicted to smartphones, with all the negative repercussions that come with it.
This is a serious challenge for the people. But it appears that slack behaviour by parents and relatives in giving small children a smartphone to “keep them occupied” could lead to serious physical and mental problems.
Children’s experts say that as the times have changed, nearly everyone is using social media, and with the pros and cons, it is necessary for parents to guide children’s use of smartphones and video and games devices – if not ban their use altogether.
Instead of going out in the street to play, many children end up glued to a small screen, with all the problems that might cause. The World Health organization says children who use mobile phones and tablets to excess are at higher risk of obesity, developmental delay, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), slowed decision-making and writing, and lagging creativity.
Myanmar’s children need the right support in terms of nutrition, medical help, and a good mental environment. Of course, solving poor nutrition will make the headlines, given the crises in the country.
But this new threat needs attention. Parents and relatives need to stop providing the easy child pacifier – the less-than-smart option of handing them a smartphone.
